Calling something by its proper name should not be especially difficult. Yet in some cities, even straightforward descriptions become politically loaded, particularly when the subject is crime.
After three people were killed during a shooting at Seattle's Bite of Seattle food festival, local media had little hesitation in describing what investigators believed had happened. KOMO-TV characterized the incident as "a suspected gang-related gunfight in the middle of the crowded event."
That language, however, was notably absent from Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes' public comments.
The shooting became controversial for more than just the violence itself. Barnes also faced criticism because he was attending a Black Law Enforcement Executives conference in Texas when the attack occurred. According to the New York Post, his absence drew additional attention because of previous trips to Chicago, where his family still resides.
Here's liberal Asheville Police Dept Interim Chief, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Stepp tying herself in knots to not call the shooting that left 2 dead & 7 critically injured this week gang related, but rather 'groups'. Asheville continues to get what it votes for. @asheville pic.twitter.com/CFsAbnyXt3
— Evans Wroten (@Evans_Wroten) July 24, 2026
Addressing reporters, Barnes defended his absence.
"I wish that I had a crystal ball and we could schedule gun violence, but we can't," he said.
No one expects a police chief to predict exactly when violence will occur. The expectation, critics argue, is that the city's top law enforcement official is present and prepared to respond when it does.
Barnes also described what he believes drives much of Seattle's gun violence.
"In Seattle, the problem of gun violence is worsened by small groups," he said.
"And in our city, 0.01 percent of the population is connected to 52 percent of our shootings, most of which are young people. Which is why our department partners with community members, with our mayor's office, with our prosecutors, our federal partners, some of whom are here today, to find the underlying causes of this."
The phrase "small groups" immediately stood out. Critics questioned why Barnes did not simply describe the violence as gang-related, particularly when local reporting had already done so. They also pointed to the fact that Seattle Police no longer maintains a dedicated gang unit, arguing that avoiding the term only creates confusion about the nature of the problem.
Barnes later explained that his trip to Dallas was to honor two members of the Seattle community at the conference. He again noted that no one can predict when violent incidents will occur.
That explanation has done little to quiet criticism from those who believe the police chief should have been in Seattle during a weekend event expected to draw large crowds.